Grinder (angle grinder). All about the grinder, why is it called that?

Many words that we are accustomed to using in our speech are, in fact, common nouns. For example, we call a tool such as an angle grinder a “grinder”. Why? Let's figure it out.

In distant Soviet times, the main supplier of angle grinders or angle grinders to our country was the Bulgarian production brand “Elprom Lovech Bulgaria”.

Its name appeared on the nameplate of every angle grinder as “Elprom Lovetsch Bulgarien”. Our compatriots, among those who used such a tool in their work, apparently could only clearly read “Bulgarien”, which is why they first began to call the angle grinder “Bulgarian”. However, since the machine seems to be feminine, it was quickly renamed from “Bulgarian” to “Bulgarian”. This is not the only funny thing about the “grinder”.

Why was the Bulgarian called that?

First, you need to figure out why a grinder is called a “grinder”. An angle grinder is an angle grinder that is used for cutting both wood and stone, and for grinding various surfaces. The name “grinder” appeared in 1970 in the USSR. Then the Bulgarian factory, which still makes angle grinders, produced the first samples of the tool. The “homeland” of the instrument is Bulgaria, which is why it is called that. People appreciated the “helper”; since then the name “grinder” has been assigned to a useful tool and has survived to this day. Despite the cute name, the angle grinder - the grinder - has a very tough but loyal character!

Angle grinders (angle grinders) offered on the market have many differences. How does one grinder model differ from another? This tool can be divided according to the scope of application into economic and industrial classes.

For example, if the classes are swapped, then it will be very difficult to use an industrial grinder on the farm due to its weight, dimensions and power; you need to use another one.

As for industry, a light small grinder will be of little use there, because it simply cannot perform many heavy operations due to its lightness, low power and limited functionality.

To choose a universal electric tool, you need to decide on the type of work you plan to do. If they are large enough, then a tool with a low price and a small list of functions will not be suitable.

Popularity

The popular name has taken root to such an extent that to this day, on the price tags of stores in the CIS countries, the instrument is often called a “grinder”. Many users are not even aware of the existence of another name.

One of the first German angle grinders DL9 “Flex” from the German company “Ackermann + Schmitt”

It was found that in Russian-language Internet searches, the word “grinder” was requested 320,000 times, and the term “angle grinder” only 10,000 times.

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This is not the only case in the Russian language when an object or phenomenon is named after the name of the country. Everyone knows a man's haircut - Canadian, a type of flu - Spanish, a thin knife - Finnish.

How are they different in industry?

The purpose of an angle grinder in industry depends on its class, the difference between which is as follows:

Economy class

Inexpensive grinder with limited equipment with important parts and accessories. Some models of this class do not have sufficient reliability and safety. The tool is well suited for rare and short-term work.

The body of an angle grinder - an angle grinder - can withstand minor loads. Although the fastening is quite strong, this does not always guarantee ease of use.

What is it for? The tool is well suited for household work, but it is worth keeping in mind that the engine is not equipped with dust protection; during operation, small particles will get inside and accelerate the wear of moving parts. This will lead to the need to repair the instrument. Metallic dust causes a short circuit.

For repair and construction work, a more expensive and reliable angle grinder with high quality characteristics is used.

Middle class

Equipment of this type is quite convenient and safe to use.

It has sealing inserts and a paint coating on the engine, which prevents dirt from penetrating into the instrument. Angle grinders (angle grinders) are designed for domestic use; they have a clamping mechanism, ensuring quick adjustment of the position of the protective casing.

The tool is equipped with convenient start buttons that respond even to pressure with a finger in a rubber sleeve. The ability to screw the handle on either side makes the use of such a tool convenient not only for right-handers, but also for left-handers.

To ensure that the tool can be used comfortably, certain models of angle grinders support the installation of the handle on top.

Professional class

A professional tool very rarely requires repair of an angle grinder - an angle grinder. The mechanisms are protected from dust, and the tool itself is equipped with a soft start function, which allows you to gradually increase the speed of rotation and operation of the disk.

The grinder can be connected to a lower power circuit.

A tool of this class is equipped with vibration protection thanks to a powerful auto-balance system for the working disk.

What safety precautions must be observed when working with an angle grinder?

• The disc guard must not be removed during use;
• Before work, inspect the disks, housing and power cord for nicks or damage;
• Wear thick gloves while working to protect your hands from flying sparks and debris;
• Clothes should not be baggy so as not to get caught in the rotating circle;
• It is necessary to use a respirator, especially when working with stone;
• Get used to working with glasses or a protective mask.

It is necessary to work in a stable position, holding the grinder firmly. The power cord should be on the side; it is better to secure the cut metal in a stable state. Be careful not to crush the wheel when cutting metal. You need to cut so that the direction of rotation of the circle coincides with the direction of the cut. The protective cover was aimed at the worker.

Power and disk size

Grinders have different sizes and diameters of circles. The minimum size is equal to 115 mm. This circle is designed for simpler work. The largest size is considered to be a diameter of 230 mm. With the help of such a circle it is possible to cut bricks, slabs, pipes and everything you need. The optimal choice of a circle for homework would be a diameter of 125 mm. To renovate a house or apartment, you need to choose a circle equal to 180 mm. The power of the tool varies from 0.5 to 2.5 kW.

The choice of this parameter depends on the duration of operation and motor power. The engine power must be sufficient to spin the disk.

What can this tool do?

A classic grinder is a portable power tool with an abrasive wheel. The main purpose of the grinder is to process the joints of flat metal surfaces. However, it can also be used for other operations.

The base wheel is ideal for cutting sheet metal, finishing pipes and fittings. By simply replacing the working wheel with a disc of sandpaper, the sander turns into a polisher. You can use a sander in this capacity, sanding pipes, flat or curved surfaces to a mirror finish.

In addition to metal processing, the grinder is used for cutting ceramic tiles. To do this, you need to use a ceramic or concrete circle as a working disk. The list of operations that can be performed with an angle grinder is very large.

Each type of material requires special discs to process it:

abrasive disc for metal 5-6 mm thick

An abrasive disc for metal with a thickness of 5-6 mm is intended for rough grinding of metal and cleaning of welds.

A flap abrasive disc is needed for grinding various dense materials: metal, wood, stone.

flap abrasive disc

metal cutting disc

This disc is only allowed to cut metal! Many people use it for sanding, but it is very dangerous.

This cutting disc is designed for wet cutting of concrete and ceramics. The outer edge of the blade is studded with industrial diamonds that easily cut stone, concrete, brick and ceramics.

cutting disc for concrete and ceramics with diamond edge

chain circle

This disc is used for woodworking. Moreover, they do not cut boards, but are used for shaped wood processing: making sculptures and decorative elements.

Additional options

Among the many additional options, it is worth noting the soft start function. The system allows the tool to start without jerking, smoothing out power surges that occur in the electrical network.

You should pay attention to the presence of auto-balancing of the disk. This option is useful in cases where the discs wear unevenly.

Vibration is smoothed and reduced. A higher power angle grinder must be protected from jamming. This function allows you to avoid a negative situation and consequences in which the electric motor can turn off automatically.

Makita GA5030: Japanese, Romanian assembly

It works without vibration (if necessary, the kit includes an additional handle that dampens shaking) and does not overheat during prolonged use. You can confidently work with one hand, provided, of course, that you are familiar with the tool. You can cut the tiles, then sand them - no discomfort. The device is small, moderately weighty, it feels like 2 kg, although in fact it’s a kilo, eight hundred (grams). The gearbox housing is miniature, made of impact-resistant plastic, you can fit it anywhere. So for those who are involved in car repairs, you can safely take this model, you won’t regret it.

Makita makes professional tools. The GA5030 is no exception. Not only is this grinder lightweight and durable, but the dust and moisture protection of the engine is also at the proper level. This gives confidence that the angle grinder will fulfill its warranty period, and it has it for three years.

The power is 720 W, which is quite enough for cutting corrugated sheets and angles. This grinder is capable of processing 4-5 joints of a pipe with a diameter of 720 mm every day, without any wear and tear. Even if the disk bites when you work, the clamping nut unscrews easily, without effort. For convenience, the clamping nut can be changed from an open-end one to a regular wrench.

The start button is soft, the tool produces 11,000 rpm, although there is no soft start. The circle on it is 125 mm. The cost is affordable, within 1300-1500 UAH. Compared to tools from other companies, but with the same characteristics, the price is quite reasonable.

Read: 5 types of grinder discs and their purpose

Bosch GWS 1400: withstands hellish loads

The manufacturer's intelligently designed ventilation holes protect the engine from overheating. Air flows freely through them. Despite the fact that the power of the GWS 1400 is quite high (1400 W), even the slightest rattle is not felt in your hands. Fortunately, the handle is comfortable, although a little heavy, you have to hold it with both hands. It is equally suitable for left-handed and right-handed people.

The machine is designed for grinding and cutting reinforcement, iron fence posts, iron water pipes, and roofing iron. The cuts are smooth, the tool does not move to the side even for inexperienced people, as happens with cheap models.

It cuts everything without slowing down or slipping under heavy loads. It is very convenient to reinstall the protective cover without a key. There is absolutely no need for any additional tools for this task. The clamping nut is larger in diameter than that of Chinese tools. It's comfortable.

In order for Bosch to work like a watch (3-year warranty from the manufacturer), we recommend lubricating the running parts with lithol from time to time. Then there will be no wear and tear on the device.

1. The big “plus” of the device is the long, frost-resistant three or four meter cable. In some cases, there is no need to use an extension cord.
2. The nasty “minus” is that the additional handle has only two positions.

Topic: How to choose an angle grinder for home use - 10 main criteria

Wireless Einhell TC-AG 115, EX: vibrates at low frequencies

Although it is low-power (only 500 W), it is simple - a teenager can figure it out to make a fake. Designed for decorative work: it can cut (including small-diameter pipes), grind and clean metal and stone.

It is lightweight, weighing just over 1.5 kg. For improved controllability, the handle is soft, which dampens vibrations, and is adjustable, so the Einhell TC-AG 115, EX is securely fixed. There is no soft start, but it works without jerking. Although the pressure is high, the cartridge does not bend.

By the way: How to choose the right grinder?

Bosch PWS 850-125: for DIYers

The “green” Bosch series is purely for short-term work. Turned it on for a couple of minutes and turned it off for half an hour. It’s not good to work from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., because it will quickly tell you to live.

The Bosch PWS 850-125 case comes standard. In addition to the tool, there are 5 components:

• clamping nut for fastening disks and spindle;
• nut wrench;
• handle with rubber anti-vibrator;
• protective casing;
• paper documentation: instructions, a memo with information on how to register on the manufacturer’s website to extend the warranty.

All this wealth weighs 3.5 kg. Quite compact.

The grinder works according to standard requirements: cuts, grinds and quartz, i.e. treats surfaces with a wire brush. It copes with its work quite well, the power allows (850 W) and the speed is also a sin to complain about (12 thousand per minute).

The angle grinder is controlled using the “ON/OFF” slider. When turned on, you can lock the button by pressing it against the body. This makes it more convenient to work without controlling the pressure. The second button on the gearbox blocks the rotation of the disk if you need to change it.

The device is equipped with a two-core cable two and a half meters long. It is thin, insulated with PVC - thin glossy plastic. This is not the best insulation. It hardens in the cold or can burst if frequently bent (it would be better if it were soft, like rubber, then it would protect the cable more reliably). But, as they say, what we have is ours. The instrument is powered from a single-phase 220 V network, at a frequency of up to 60 Hz.

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Bosch GWS 9-125 S: made in Germany

This is a professional tool. Therefore, for household chores it has no equal. The angle grinder fits in your hand like a glove, with a full girth. Fortunately, the handle has a diameter of 56 mm, a narrow rubberized body with recesses. The machine can be used for cutting siding, metal profiles, pipes, and iron corners. Even sawing concrete. True, for this purpose it is better to change the disk to a metal one with teeth and diamond coating. Doesn't slip out, cuts quickly.

Due to the fact that the grinder is light (1.9 kg according to the passport), you can manage to work by weight. It has a soft start and speed control and is moderately noisy. You can adjust the speed, which produces 110 thousand rpm at peaks. Two-stage switch:

• in one position it works only when pressed;
• in the second it is fixed, there is no need to hold it with your finger.

The motor of the Bosch GWS 9-125 S is powerful - 900 W. The machine does not overheat under heavy loads (there are ventilation holes on the sides) and barely vibrates. The kit includes an additional handle and a protective cover that smooth out rattling. The handle can be mounted on the left and right sides, so a left-handed person will be able to work with this tool just as easily as a right-handed person.

The price for such a grinder is more than adequate - in the range of 2,300-2,500 UAH.